6 theme parks across the world: thrills guaranteed!

Because theme parks keep young and old daydreaming, Travel by Air France selected 6 of them for you. Fly away across the earth, thrill seekers!

Welcome to Gallic land

Welcome to Parc Astérix, about 25 miles from Paris. Enter the universe of the famous Astérix le Gaulois comic strip, created by Goscinny and Uderzo. Since 1989, you can live Astérix and his friends' adventures through 40 rides. Divided into six thematic areas, you'll travel through ancient history as you see fit: from Egypt to old French territories, the Roman Empire, Greece and Europe under the Vikings... Depending on your level of self-control, your legs will take to either family rides or thrill seeking ones.
You'll get to know whether you have a strong stomach onboard the Oziris, where you'll get a rush at 55 mph and 130 feet high and experience many loops with your head upside down. Tonnerre de Zeus and Goudurix are other rides that will please the most adventurous. As for the resting yet funny ones, Menhir Express is a must-try: inside a floating menhir-stone-car, prepare to get wet, for water jets, whirlwinds and swirls are all part of the game. And say cheese for the souvenir picture!

Only 15 miles away from Ho Chi Minh City, the Suoi Tien Cultural Amusement Park takes you on a ride through Vietnamese culture and folklore. Meander through buildings of eastern influence, coloured statues of mythical creatures – dragons, giant turtles and phoenixes – and numerous rides, of course. For those who seek fun and adventure, there is a lot to be enthusiastic about. Do not miss the park's famous Rollercoaster: gird your loins and board the cart in which you'll hurtle down 4,000 feet of track at 125 mph, while breaking through the Tianshan mountain 100 feet high. You can also try the Galaxy Swirling Disk, on which you'll experience taking off onboard a giant disk. All year long, the park organises cultural festivals, especially for lunar new year and Hung King's birthday, Vietnam's first known king.

Speed up and down the 30 aquatic rides of the Wild Water Park in Dubai. Softly or at full throttle, tubing or rowing, you've got an embarrassment of riches. Let yourself get carried away by the flow of Juha's Journey, navigating a 382-yard long river while the 3-feet high crashing waves of the Flood River will surprise you at any moment. Try your hand at body boarding on the artificial Wipeout waves. The brave will tackle Tantrum Alley and Burj Surj, not to mention Jumeirah Sceirah, the most popular of them all: it allows you to slide down 100-feet high structures into a splashing whirlwind. After this adrenalin rush, head for the Wadi Wash sound and light show and feast your eyes!

Whether you stay in Milan, Venice or Bologna, you have to pay Gardaland a visit. This imaginary world is filled with pirates, pharaohs, prehistoric animals and fairy tale characters. Located by the shores of Lake Garda, after which it was named, Gardaland is the promise of big thrills onboard 40 rides: the Raptor train, the Blue Tornado or the Magic Mountain will all put a strain on your nerves.
Take place in a winged train – you got it right, rails are of little relevance there – and start on a dizzying plunge in the air. Some rides will take you 130 feet high while others are more fantasy and family-based. In this enchanting setting, you're likely to be enthralled by the scenography, undeniably one of Gardaland's fortes. It's well worth the trip, so get a hold yourself for loops will soon be nothing but a formality.
After all this excitement, you can come to your senses, resting by the splendid Lake Garda, which is only half a mile away from the park by foot.

Discover the Universal Studios Singapore theme park and its twenty rides that will satisfy your cinema cravings. Live an adventure through famous films like Jurassic Park and Shrek (with a 4D spectacle), then walk along Hollywood Boulevard, its palm trees and Walk of Fame. Or through a futuristic New York City where you have to lead the fight against forces of evil. Explore ancient Egypt, filled with scary mummies and enter the world of Madagascar for a watered boat ride.
At Universal Studios Singapore, there's something for everyone. If you happen to enjoy aquatic universes, you can observe more than 20,000 tropical fish while going fast down super slides. Do not hesitate and try the various themed restaurants to get back on your feet between two rides, and savour Italian or Asian specialities at your will.

One of the most popular European parks, Phantasialand is located in Brühl, about 12 miles from Cologne. For a truly recreational day, whether with family or friends, about 40 rides are waiting for you, divided into six thematic sections: Fantasy, Mystery, Deep in Africa, Berlin, China Town and Mexico.
Experience the seven different roller coasters, among which the Black Mamba that will have your heart pound furiously. Carry on with Chiapas, a 6-minute aquatic ride of uninterrupted thrills. Get to the next level with Taron, the fastest and longest multi-launch in the world – rails cross 116 times! Less scary but just as fun is a visit of the Tartüff Hotel – laughing palace – a surprising maze of 27 decorated rooms where you need to find your way through wardrobes and turning wheels to reach the outdoor exit... An adventure you're not likely to forget anytime soon!